BHUBANESWAR: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked some government and private institutions, located along the Acharya Vihar and route, to take up maintenance of median, sculptures, plantations and landscapes in front of their organizations.

The civic body on February 26 shot off letters to Pathani Samanta planetarium, Regional Museum of Natural History, Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (formerly Regional Research Laboratory), Apollo Hospital and Institute of Physics to look after the corridor, which has been beautified at a cost of Rs 1 crore by a mining company.

"Apprehending damage of the plants during summer, we have urged these institutions to ensure proper upkeep of the beautification work," BMC commissioner Sanjib Kumar Mishra said. "Since maintenance of the work is not possible on the part of BMC due to funds crunch and shortage of manpower, we roped in those institutions. They have agreed to the task," Mishra added.

Director of Pathani Samanta planetarium Subhendu Pattnaik said, "BMC had asked us to look after the portion in front of the planetarium one year after completion of the beautification work." "We have no problem if we are asked to start the maintenance work now," Pattnaik said.

Decoration of the stretch between Acharya Vihar and Sainik School was completed last month. It is a treat to watch beautiful sculptures of a giant mermaid, attractive 12 Sun Signs on the median, green landscapes and ornamental plants while passing through the corridor. The installation of Zodiac signs has close links with the planetarium, a statue of celebrated scientist Sir Isaac Newton at the entrance of Institute of Physics adds value to the institute.

The maintenance of beautification projects has been a cause for concern as several beautification programmes along Jayadev Vihar-KIIT Square, AG Square-Raj Bhawan and Power House Square-Raj Bhawan, failed to last for longer period owing to poor upkeep.

BMC will soon start a beautification project from Capital Hospital Square to the Biju Patnaik Airport once the ongoing road work is completed. Another private company is re-developing the roadside in front of state secretariat in the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) is planning to create a beautiful park, lush green lawns and ultramodern toilets inside the state-run Capital Hospital. Sources said work for the project will start soon.